Lukeortner

Hi guys, My fuel pump changes in tone before (and presumably during and after-I just can't hear it) I start my 86 brat. Is this a sign that the fuel pump is ready to go? I also have the pump wired through my cigarette lighter currently(I know there's no safety shut off with that set-up). Might this have anything to do with the vehicle having trouble starting? Thanks, Luke

Northwet, I just moved to New Mexico and though I haven't registered my car here, I've been told that there is no emissions inspection here? Any other New Mexicans on the board?

Thank all of you guys so much! You've been very helpful. As soon as I get some of this stuff done I'll post back to tell you how it went. As I mentioned, I am new to this stuff, so it may take a while. Again, thanks for everything!

Anyone have any ideas?

I'm pretty new to subarus and automechanics in general, but over the last few months I've taught myself a decent amount and messed up enough to learn the hard way. I've recently revived an '86 brat (ea81/4-speed) with about 140,000 miles on it, and I've run into a few problems that I can't figure out. I suppose I'll list them out. If any of you have any ideas/solutions I would really appreciate it. 1. I've heard that there is some kind of manually adjusting suspension on this thing. How do I adjust it. Does anyone know where I might find some pics? (This is, of course, my number one priority ) 2. My tachometer intermittently jumps around. Engine operation does not seem to be affected when it does this. I took this to a shop for something else and the mechanic seems to think it's the head of the tach in the dash. Any other solutions? 3. It generally idles smoothly,(a little low when it firsts starts up), but occasionaly cuts out the slightest bit as soon as I give it some gas. If I push the accelerator gently there is no problem, it's only when I give it a lot of gas quickly. The engine doesn't die, it just seems to skip out for a moment. 4. There is a slight (again, intermittent) knocking or clunking noise from the front end of the vehicle. I imagine it's nothing in the engine as it doesn't occur when the vehicle is not moving. The noise is not constant and I have not been able to find a pattern to when it does or does not occur. It feels and sounds like I'm going over many small bumps when it happens. Any takers? Thanks again for any help you can offer!

Hi folks. Thanks so much for all the information. I recently pulled an '86 Brat out of my dad's hay field in New York. Happily, there were only 136,000 miles on it and the rust wasn't too bad, so I put some work into it and drove it across country. 2,000 miles later I've discovered two oil leaks. (It's difficult to describe where they're coming from as my chilton manual seems to be referring to a completely different engine than the one that's sitting in my vehicle.) I do know it's an ea81 four speed. Anyway, there are two bluish green housing type things that fit onto opposing(passenger/driver) sides of the block. The leaks seem to be coming from here. Any ideas? Thanks so much for any help.